Auditor called in to review NDIS computer blunder

Audit firm PwC has been hired to review a disastrous technology bungle that sent the NDIS into disarray.

Danny and Consuela Raslan with their son Joshua, 5, in Adelaide. Picture: James Elsby

Audit firm PwC has been hired by the federal government at a cost of about $350,000 to review a disastrous technology bungle that sent the landmark $22 billion National Disability Insurance Scheme into disarray.

The review, announced by ­Social Services Minister Christian Porter and Assistant Disabilities Minister Jane Prentice on ­August 5, is expected to be completed by the end of the month.

It is understood Mr Porter is ­inclined to release the report publicly, subject to any commercial-in-confidence considerations, as the Turnbull government scrambles to restore faith in an ambitious national rollout that involves ­assessing and approving individual plans for 430,000 people over the next three years.

The review is focused on the flawed new MyPlace payment portal used by the National ­Disability Insurance Agency, blamed for some providers being left unpaid and some people ­unable to access services since June. The government conceded this week that the IT system was designed and built in house by the Department of Human Services.

Opposition disability reform spokeswoman Jenny Macklin said yesterday that payment delays needed to be resolved urgently and the PwC review made public, along with its terms of reference.

“The review must examine ­exactly who is responsible for the delays ... and which minister was responsible for key decisions on the payments system,” Ms Macklin said. “Just like they did with the census, when something goes wrong, the Turnbull government tries to blame everyone but themselves.’’

Greens senator Rachel Siewert also called yesterday for urgent ­action and vowed to raise the matter in parliament. “It is astounding that the ­crucial IT system that helps deliver the scheme was built in-house. It is now failing in its core tasks, which is a slap in the face for families,” Senator Siewert said.

“You have to ask if the decision to build this significant project in-house was an attempt at saving money. If so, this has come at the expense of people with disabil­ities.”

Ms Prentice said yesterday she was “very concerned” and had done “everything we can to rectify the situation’’.

“In those cases where problems have arisen, if they are bought to the attention of the NDIA or my office, they will be assisted on an individualised basis,” she said.

Danny Raslan described the NDIS as a “complete shemozzle” after being left in limbo since March on his son’s inclusion.

He fears having to restart a two-year “merry-go-round” to gain services for his son Joshua, 5, who has autism and a chromosome deficiency which results in him being smaller than his school peers, with speech and other physical delays.

“He always comes to me and says, ‘I need helping’. It breaks my heart. If he has regular help each week he will improve,’’ he said.

Mr Raslan, of Adelaide, has begun drawing from his savings to pay for occupational and speech therapy sessions, at a combined cost of $500 an hour, while he waits for funding approval.